2012: "Where are we?"

Quick summary: Temperature was perfect this year, the wind was a challenge, got rained on, couple of bridges out changed the route significantly, many more hills, on the whole, it was "a good day, a good day" of riding, actually it was one of the best we have had.

Lets see what happened this year. Left at our usual time, 6:30AM.  Temperature started off in the high 50s, and ended in the high 60s. It may have hit 70 somewhere along the route.  About an 90 minutes in we got rained on going through Andover.  Few sprinkles turned into a steady rain but the whole rain episode only lasted maybe 45 minutes so can't really complain about that.  We got wet for sure but not the sopping wetness that it could have been.  

The first bridge that we had to route around was the Rock Bridge, this is the bridge we typically take over the Merrimack River. Instead we went over the Route 97 bridge which was also under construction.  This bridge is a mess so its a good thing they are replacing that one as well. Going over the 97 bridge put us north of the Merrimack sooner than usual but there are some really nice roads back there so it turned out to be a nice detour and we still got the regular ride down the river.  The north-west wind was actually in our favor for the most part and we seemed to sail right along all morning.

About 45 miles in we got to Salisbury around 10AM as is usual. Knowing this extended stop is coming makes the push from Newburyport a lot easier. Just before getting into Salisbury we got a taste of the wind to come, oh boy... Extended stop, refuel, regroup. We almost did not have this stop this year (logistics) but I am so glad we did.

Headed north up 1A and you knew straight away the favorable wind was gone. The wind wasn't all that bad, but it was there and you felt it. Once the muscles and the group train got going again it was fine though. Couple people taking turns at the front helps.  Just before our next rest stop in North Hampton someone got a flat which then became a blown tire, but the tire and tube were dealt with while the rest of us enjoyed a little rest watching surfers from the wall.  Some chatter about how one of the bikes in the group was "wicked" light made me envious of new bikes but I am not ready to give up my old faithful steed, and I am not ready to part with that kind of money yet either.

Anyway, we continued up to Jenness Beach in Rye where we got our final view of the ocean because from here the route turned hard left (west).  The second bridge out was the Memorial Bridge connecting Portsmouth NH to Kittery ME so we had to go around. Sorry, I was not going to allow us to take the shuttle.  So we went west out to Dover NH, thanks to the Wheelmen of NH (http://www.granitestatewheelmen.org/) for providing the route.  Some nice roads on this stretch, 15 miles or so, although the wind doubled down on us (north west meant it was right in our face now).  On top of the wind going west also meant increasing altitude, actually there were a few up and downs that had some real bite to them. We stopped on the old Great Bay bridge which is now a bike path and probably needs to be replaced as well.  There was one section of the bridge that was narrowed by fencing with a sign that read "No more than 12 people at a time between fenced section". Are you kidding me? Only 12 people at a time!

Took another break in Dover. Found a place that served ice cream since we missed the regular stop on 1B.  The last ~20 miles from Dover to Wells had some more hills that made the end of a long day even longer.  Somewhere between Dover and S. Berwick we passed a "Cattle X-ing" sign which was a first for the Beach Ride.

Climbing into S. Berwick we made our last quick stop so some could update their facebook page and then we headed for home.  On the back roads between S. Berwick and Wells there is nothing, well basically nothing. A few houses, some random cars buzzing by.  No bears or mountains lions but definitely some road kill.  More than once on this stretch I was asked... "Where are we?". (There may have been some choice words tossed in with that question but I left those out.) From my little bit of Maine experience, it seems when you get west of Route 95 it can get isolated rather quickly.  Eventually we passed back to the east side of 95, popped out on Route 1, about a mile or so from the finish, and then we were done.  Total miles, ~102.

Lesson for the day, don't talk to a rider if it looks like they are suffering while climbing a hill.  

Year 7 done, another successful ride!

2011: "Broken Chain"
Sorry I did not recap. I will be better in the future.

2010: "Pressure Change"

Everyone said they had a great time. I know I did. No injuries, no disasters, weather was fantastic, kim going all out in Salisbury and for dinner at the end of the day was great as always. And of course great riding companions and camaraderie. Life is good but sometimes it is really good. This year's ride, life was really good. You can not ask for anything more than that.

The start was cool, you could almost say slightly chilly because we start off immediately going down hill. But I had a couple of layers so it felt perfect to me. The sun broke out more the closer we got to the coast. By the time we arrived in Salisbury around 10AM it was out fully and stayed there the rest of the day. Probably in the low 70's high 60's all afternoon. We had a group of 6 for the entire ride. Two more joined us along the NH coast line and one of the riders, though only with us for ~25 miles of the coast, went on to ride a century on her own. Awesome.

We had our first flat this year. Now that we have had one I am sure this will open the flood gates to more. Yes we had a bike with spokes flying off last year, and we lost a bike from a loose roof rack on the way home one year but this was the first failure that actually slowed us down while on the ride. (Notice I said "on the road". I am not counting the time a friend met us in Salisbury intent on pedaling the rest of the route only to realize that he had a flat tire, he had not looked his bike over for at least a week before the ride.) Anyway we were lucky to have a master repairman with us, and multiple hands to help replace/pump the tire back to life. No disasters.

I can't quite put my finger on the feeling but something was different about the ride this year. A few things happened, I will describe below, which definitely added to this feeling but still, there was something more. Maybe it was that I hit the half way point of my goal of riding for ten years, maybe I have done the ride to many times so if felt more mechanical (bio-stop here, pick up pace here, slow pace down there) and less free-wheeling. Maybe 100 miles is just becoming too easy. OK, 100 miles being too easy will never be true for me.

Anyway, I can think of three contributing factors that had my asking questions of myself this year.

Number One: mechanical failure. It is amazing actually after all the combined miles we have road that this was our first flat. It was inevitable. Anyway, experiencing this for real made me acutely aware of how unprepared I have been for any kind of failure. I do not know where any local shops on the route are. I did not have a proper pump, just the CO2 cartridges. CO2 is fine if you are just repairing and limping home but if you have another 40 or 50 miles to go, CO2 just is not going to get the job done. **SLAP** You need a pump with a gage to get up to proper inflation pressure. Also this incident made me aware of not having a support wagon. If some one was really stuck they could be potentially left waiting for hours for a pick-up. I just need to make sure everyone understands this, "we are on our own and support comes from each other". Be prepared.

Number Two : rider inequalities. For the most part the group averages about 16-17 mph over the 100 mile course, which is a decent pace for the weekend warriors that most of us are. And we take brakes when and where anyone chooses to do so. Well we had a very strong rider join us this year and I felt like I was holding him back. I know some could do a faster pace but I only have the route in my head, not down on flash  cards or anything, so he was forced to wait for me. And then I felt rushed so that he could keep going. Now I know if I asked him he would have said all the right things like "I can wait, no problem" and so on because he is a great person and I am putting all of this on myself
for no good reason but still, the feelings were there. Not sure how to get over that feeling.

Number Three : letting go. As I mentioned we had two rider's join for the N.H. leg of the ride. I thought this was great actually. Except. Soon after leaving Salisbury one of the 2 walked thier bike across a bridge. This in turn caused him to fall way behind. As I was stopping to wait for this rider his partner said something to the affect of "don't worry about him, he will be fine, I leave him all the time". Knowing the others were still pulling away I had to let him go. All previous years I made a point to stay in contact with everyone, bounce back and forth as needed but I have never lost touch with a rider. This time I had no choice but to let go and I struggled with this. I struggled because I never made a connection with him. Never really had a chance to chat and that disappointed me. This made me realize, if this ride were to grow I would not have a connection to every rider. I would have to let go. I am not sure I can do that. I want to know everyone. I want to chat with everyone.

Just to wrap things up I will finish with how I started this post. Life is good but sometimes it is really good. This year, it was really good.

Note:
- carry a spare tire, not just spare tubes
- carry a pump with a pressure gage, not just CO2 cartridges
- bio-brakes. I really need to find a restroom in :
    - Andover, North Andover area
    - just after entering Maine, possibly at Fort McClary
    - as we jump onto Route 1a in York, possibly the Visitor Center, need to investigate


2009: "Cycle Down"

This year's ride provided us with a couple of new challenges. A very cool, some would say cold, start and a 15 mph north-west wind. We clipped in at 6:30 AM which is a requirement if we hope to finish at a decent hour. The temperature at the start was in the mid-40's, so we were geared up with leg and arm warmers and a couple two/three layers over the torso. On the one hand this amount of layering and covering turned out to be just perfect as no one shed any layers or coverings during the entire ride. On the other hand we looked as if we were going Trick-or-Treating. There were a few comparisons tossed around, Dark Spider-Man, and Mr. Incredible but the image of The Riddler will stay with me for awhile.

About 6-7 miles in where we would normally meet the Andover group we were instead met with a very gleeful face, though no bicycles were present. The man with the happy face had lost in a duel with a car about a month earlier so he was out for the ride and the other half of the Andover two decided not to ride in a show of solidarity. So there he was at 7AM, the first fan ever seen on the route cheering us on. :-)

The first 15 miles were calm but at the top of the Andover hill we got our first dose of the wind. Along with the wind I thought I smelled the ocean but that was probably just my mind playing games. The wind was not a factor at this point because most of the roads were guarded by trees and by the time we jumped on to the stretch along the Merrimac River the "west" portion of the north-west wind was working in our favor.

Along the Merrimac we were passed by a large racing team. At least 30, maybe 40 riders. Pretty cool sight to see. Not so cool being passed. I am holding on to the thought that they were not doing a 100 mile ride. :-)  Passing thought: Funny how the same rider you wave to if they were on the other side of the road you would spare no amount of energy to crush, either pass or pull away from if they were on your side of the road. I guess that is part of the fun of cycling, off the bike cyclist are friendly (well most anyway) enjoying the comradeship associated with doing something only a few participate in, but once you are on the bike and that switch is flipped, watch out, the hunt is on.

The Salisbury stop was great, again. Thank You Kim. Some real food and water bottle replenishment. We did not stay long because the wind was really blowing now and it was too cold to sit around. I didn't check the temperature but it could not have gotten much more than the low 60's for a high all day. Actually I never really warmed up all day.

The 15 mph north-west wind was on us the rest of the way. I am sure there were some gusts higher than 15 and depending on the twists in the road there were times when it was worse and times when it was better. It made for the most challenging ride to date and required the most amount of effort to date for any Beach Ride.

The wind aside, it was still a great day. Sun was out. No rain. No complaints from me about the weather because I know it could have been worse. Lets see what else. We had to wait at 2 of the three bridge crossings. Usually we have to stop at one of the bridge crossings while boats go thru but two, that was a first. The two rookie riders were not happy with my characterization of the last 20 miles. They thought the roads were very hilly and challenging. I guess I have been down that road too many times and have forgotten it can be difficult. Anyway, we accomplished the goal of the ride: survive the day, and push one's limits both physically and mentally. Though I may have to add another goal and that is, to get the bikes home in one piece. One of the bikes came loose from its position atop the van on the way home. Luckily no one was hurt but the bicycle was destroyed. Damn!

One last closing thought. I started this ride because I did not want to ask people for money. I figure just talking about what we are doing will motivate others to do something or donate on their own. And I think we have been successful at that. The thing is, the more people I tell about what we are doing the more interest there is in joining the ride and the harder it is becoming to maintain this goal of not asking others for money. Don't get me wrong, it is great that others want to join and I want them to. The thing is, if the rider ranks are to grow much beyond what they are now I will have to start providing more support. More "supported" stops, i.e. a rest stop every 20 miles with food, proper bathrooms and a mechanical support wagon for bicycles. If this event is to grow I will need to get some sponsors.  ("If you are not growing you are dying", is something I often say.) And if it doesn't grow then it may die. So I am torn about what the next step will be.
 

2008 : "The TC50 Is Born"

    Good weather. Good route. Good friends.  A good day all around and a toast was made:"To The Glory Of Action!". I hope to see you out there next year. (Added to the route so that we hit the century mark about 2 miles from the end, no extra loops required this year.) We also had our first rider join at the half way point in Salisbury so I think I will be referring to this as the TC50 from now on in honor of the first rider to participate in this way.


2007 : "The Inspiration Ride"

    Left the house at 6:30 AM. About 7 miles in I met up with my two compadres for the ride. The next 10-15 miles or so were relatively uneventful. Not sure how to explain it but once we got past North Andover center the roads became more quiet. More trees, fewer driveways and intersections which meant less thinking about cars getting in the way. More enjoyable from my point of view. This is where we got our first views of water as we past a few ponds.
    More water views were had after finding our way to the Merrimac River. We followed the north side bank after crossing over at Rocks Bridge. A great ride by itself from there down along the river to Newbury. We continued down into Newburyport and here we had to jump on Route 1 for a couple of hundred yards to go over the water again, I guess this is still considered the Merrimac River. Anyway, it was perfect timing to catch the bridge going up on Route 1. Some might think this was bad luck but I thought it was a perfect photo opportunity. Once on the other side we quickly get off of Route 1 and this is where the first smell of the ocean hits you. The tall grass and slight breeze, yes the ocean is close.
    We stop in the Salisbury State park for a little breakfast. Kim and the kids have met us with an assortment of fruit and proteins. Probably stay a little longer than we should have but it was much needed and a great motivator. Erin is the reason I started this and she asks more than once when will she be able to join the ride. Soon enough. We can really feel the heat of the day coming on now.
    On the road again passing through the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. I believe this is held every year on the Saturday after Labor Day so I expect we will see this slight detour every year. Looks like fun though and may have to make it an extended stop one of these years.
    A few miles north of Hampton we stop at Jennes Beach NH. The sun is beating down on us now and we huddle in the shade to avoid the sun. Some one says the temperature is in the high 90's and we believe it. Actually being on the bicycle is more enjoyable because of the slight breeze. We don't stop long.
    Heading into Portsmouth we decide to take the Route 1B excursion. We skipped this section last year because at this point in the ride I was not sure if I could make it another mile never mind another 30 miles. Anyway we are rewarded by going this way because just as we are suggesting a stop we run into an ice cream shop. Perfect timing again. Because of the ice cream and the conversation with a motorcycling couple we stay longer than we probably should have again but still it was worth taking the time.    
    Back in the saddle. Going over another bridge we see a teenager jumping off of the guard tower which was also on the bridge, arms and legs flailing all the way. Its moments like this you just don't see in a car. When you are in a car its all about the destination, how fast can we get were we are going. When you are on a bicycle ride its about the journey. Is this because you are out in the open and more connected to the world around you or is it because you are going slower. I use to ride a motorcycle where speed was not an issue but the feeling was the same. I think not being protected, i.e. the opposite of being in a car, and because you are exposed on a bike you feel this connection.
    The next major point of interest is crossing into Maine. This happens on another bridge. A bridge which we are required to walk over. So we do but again this poses another great photo opportunity and I take it. After this bridge we take a quick right onto 103. Great views of ocean but we only stayed on this road for a few miles opting for a parallel route because the shoulder on 103 is non existent and most of the road is tight and winding.
    More bridges keeping as close to the ocean as possible and a dirt road for about 2 hundred yards (no flats). We turn onto Route 1A which brings us back closer to the ocean again. A little climb to the top of some cliffs over looking York Harbor which is followed by a quick descent into a great stretch along York's Long Sands. Great chance to pass many cars. Cruising along Long Sands and what is that? I watched someone pole vaulting on the beach, yes pole vaulting on the beach. There was some kind of runway set down for people to run on and attempt getting over the bar. Never seen that before, at least not on the beach. A quick rest stop at Short Sands and then off to the inlets, nooks and crannies of the shore road leading into Ogunquit Center.
    A couple of miles north of Ogunquit Center is the final destination in Wells Maine so even though we can practically see the finish line we head for one last stretch along the beach. Once again we head to the beach road and I liken this stretch to the Champs-Elysees and the Tour of France. The finish line is so close you can see it, you can taste it, yet we were not done. We still had another 7 mile loop which takes us back down to the shore and up to the round-about which is the start of Wells Beach. We peddle past Moody Beach, Moody Point, Crescent Beach and on up to the top of Wells Beach. Turn around and head to the final destination.
    Just when we figured we were done, turning away from the beach for the last time, it was at this point that we got a good look at the western sky. The sky was getting dark, and threatening. Not from the sun going down but from thunder clouds heading in. We pick up the pace and a quick mile or so later we are on the road to the condo. A look at the odometer and no, 99.5 miles. Too close not to hit the mark so we do a couple of loops around a small private rotary and bingo, Century Mark hit. Toss the bikes in the car. Ride is done. Ten minutes later it is raining. Things just worked in our favor all day.



        "Why Do You Ride!"